<p>I've seen postings that JMU campus is right in the middle of Harrisonburg.If anyone's been to JMU and say Udel, which I would say is right in the middle of Newark, is this is similar campus setting?</p>
<p>We have been to both a few times. UDel is in the middle of Newark which feels like a small city. Easy access to trains, etc. It has unique shops and restaurants surrounding the campus. Much more of an urban feel.</p>
<p>The difference, in my opinion, is Harrisonburg is more remote. Lots of shopping and restaurants of the "strip mall" variety (Applebees etc). Harrisonburg is in the process of revitalizing its "downtown" area. There are some unique restaurants there and my D found a cute clothing store she liked.</p>
<p>Of the two, and this is just my opinion, I would say that Harrisonburg felt a little safer. At UDel, there's more "intermingling" with the town, and I know there have been some safety issues as a result. At JMU, housing is only guaranteed your freshman year, whereas UDel will let you live on campus all 4 years if you want. (At least this is what we were told).</p>
<p>Also, JMU feels larger "area wise" than UDel. UDel's stadium and agricultural school are down the road from the main campus, so they probably cover the same area, but the main part of the JMU campus felt a lot larger than the main part of the UDel campus.</p>
<p>These are just my opinions!</p>
<p>Both campuses are beautiful, and they are both great schools. My D is in the process of trying to decide between the 2 schools.</p>
<p>Nerbsmom-thanks for you reply. IMO the reason Udel guarantees housing all 4 years, is that I feel the off campus housing is not an option for some. I don't think, from all I've read and investigated, that Udel students feel all that safe moving off campus(just my opinion) We are still waiting for Udel's decision. Right now, we are deciding between JMU,Vtech,UMW and Suny New Paltz. If Udel is a yes, then we have another to consider. My son is leaning towards Udel, we visited and liked it very much. I am concerned about all I read though, as far as safety is concerned. Are scheduled to visit JMU and Vtech April 13,14.</p>
<p>nerbsmom, it is true that housing is only guaranteed at JMU for freshmen. My son was able to secure on campus housing for his sophomore year without difficulty. I believe that one dorm was even closed this year for renovations. Off campus housing is not too much of a problem. My son signed a lease for next year. Buses to JMU stop in front of many of the off campus apartments. I have not been to UDel, but from what I have read and heard, I would tend to agree with you about the aspect of safety. Easy access to trains at UDel is something that my son really does miss not having at JMU. He is envious that his friends at UDel and Drexel, for example, can get on a train and visit each other on a weekend. He still has no regrets about his college choice, and would not want to trade places.</p>
<p>I have heard lots of people say they love JMU. I have been accepted to JMU and am seriously considering it. Could you please describe what your son likes about JMU?</p>
<p>That is hard to answer, since he does not come to these boards. I think that what he likes the most are the people who attend. He has made some very close friends. As far as some of the things outside of class: he enjoys the Duke Club which seems to raise money for JMU athletics and they offer a lot in the way of campus spirit before games. He enjoys hiking and camping in the area, skiing (student discounts on certain days) nearby. He says that the food is very good on campus. He has enjoyed himself at some parties (including some with themes/costumes). He finds that professors are accessible. He has been invited to the home of students in the area for some family dinners. I think that the bottom line is that he is has made some very good friends. Oh, and has had the opportunity to do some voluntee work in the area. I am editing this just to add that he also really enjoys the recreation center, which is referred to as URec.</p>
<p>hi, my s is considering JMU, what can you say re: education, social life, overall impression of access to opportunites after....thanks</p>
<p>DorH: Our S was also accepted to JMU and UDel. Both schools have admitted student days coming up and opportunities to meet with current undergrads. Older children of friends attend/have attended both schools and their kids were happy with the experience. I'd speak with current students and get their take on the situation rather than getting a 2nd-hand impression from us parents.</p>
<p>Stayingsane (how? What is your secret? :) ) Our friends who's children attend there have been impressed by the school; it appears to take it's teaching role seriously and with the increased competition for enrollments, is getting more kids who might have gone to Tech or UVA in previous years. With respect only to engineering degrees, I've seen more and more people with JMU degrees and have been favorably impressed; they have especially been working in the computer security field (may be more of a graduate than undergrad emphasis, however). They also seem to have clueful and aggressive placement/pre-professional advising programs. </p>
<p>Harrisonburg is a smaller city, so activities are going to be more centered on the school than on the surrounding area. This may be ad advantage if your son might get distracted by big city environments. It's also a bit isolated - no nearby train or plane service, for example, but not as far away from larger cities as is say, Tech is in Blacksburg. DC is about 2 hours away by car. JMU is in the Shennadoah Valley, which has to be one of the prettiest areas in the state. For anyone interested in outdoor activities, it's a great location.</p>